Gomorrah (2008)

When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

Blistering performances.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

because, at the first sigh, nothing could be new. after many films about gangsters, crimes, South Italy, for the viewer must be clear the entire story. Gomorrah is an exception. for many reasons. first, because it is a real admirable work. then, because it is more than a story about murder and victims but a precise perspective about a large and complex mechanism. not the last, because it is the portrait of society as a collection of masks, sides and silences. and this does it more a support for reflection than entertainment in ordinary sense. the exploration of a huge labyrinth. in the middle of spider web.

The actors did a great job with their characters, and rightly so as most are locals of the area. The usage of non-professional actors/ local talent really helped in capturing the authenticity of the story. Also, the location-shooting did a great job in capturing the core of the Mafia, while also establishing its widespread influences. The spaces we see are limited, but many. What I mean by this is that because of the different story-lines, we see many different spaces, but what we see of these spaces is limited. They do not travel much in their own settings (except for Franco and Roberto who travel across the country).The first scene of the film establishes the violence of the subject and the aggressiveness of the Mafia. The film does show quite a bit of explicit content. This helps to deny the glorification that being part of the Mafia is usually depicted as bringing. Unlike how conspicuous consumption and success is shown in Scarface (which is also referenced in this movie), Matteo Garrone makes an effort not to show that side of glorification. The Mafia members here are ruthless, violent and seemingly do not have morals. It takes little to agitate them and loyalty plays a big part in maintaining one's safety. This again shows the reality of the film and the lives of the people in Naples.The endings of the different story-lines complement each other in sending the message that you are either with or against the Camorra. Although in the case of Roberto, his future is left ambiguous which is a little confusing.Overall a great portrayal of the Camorra system in Naples, with well established story-lines and great acting. What makes this film terrifying is the fact that this is based from reality and that the people living there have no choice but to go along or face the consequences (usually death).Read more movie reviews at: championangels.wordpress.com

A tailor, a delivery boy, a waste collector, a tax collector, and two punks walk into a bar...that may have made for a fun movie. Instead, these characters become involved with the mob and the result is a dreary drama. The script is so disjointed that during the first half hour, a multitude of characters is introduced and it is not clear who is doing what to whom. Eventually it becomes apparent that five stories are being told. Unfortunately, none of the five stories is the least bit interesting and film goes on way too long. Not only is the script lackluster, but the direction makes matters worse, with the annoying hand-held camera and clumsy framing.

This was one of the greatest gangster films to hit the first ten of the 2000's.But it's not your typical gangster film. What rocks Gomorrah from it's cradle is the utter destructive environment you're set in. The balance of power lies in the hands of the ignorant, the poor, the youth, and the insecure. This film is no Godfather, no Scorsese classic mafioso flick, nor is it near any Cocaine ridden Scarface. This films is pure, raw, and covered in the dust of violence, respect, and street workers.Although the children in this film are portrayed by being innocent and driven by their fellow neighbors and friends to become gangsters, it really drives you to the reality of the city. These so-called "thugs" and "wanna-bes" are just a taste - for Gomorrah, it's the real deal.As for the adults, it's a game of war, drugs, toxic, and money. It's not about friendship, respect, or bad blood. It's about real gangster hustling and real gangster moves, that takes you to a horrendous neighborhood with a smile.I was watching this as if it unfolded like a documentary. The action, the adrenaline, the consistent edge you're looking over was so real because the actions from these talented actors were so natural in their environment. You feared your every move, you triumphed along with their every rock pile, and you dared not to blink to miss anything.This film takes a leap into the future for great film making. I highly recommend this to a very quiet audience, someone who is calculated, who can see chaos in its beautiful form of mayhem, and is a fan of guerrilla style adrenaline film making. This piece will knock you on your ass and wake you up.9/10.Adam Ray